Destination: Northeast Montana (Region 6)
A couple years of drought and the long winter in 2022-23 have reduced deer and elk populations. FWP adjusted license quotas in many districts as needed.
The winter of 2023-24 was fairly mild, however, and habitat conditions in much of northeast Montana have improved considerably. Abundant spring and early summer rainfall earlier this year resulted in good recovery of range plants.
Elk
Surveys in the Missouri River Breaks showed elk numbers about 56 percent below long-term averages and population at 41 percent below the objective identified in the Montana Elk Management Plan. In reaction, biologists reduced antlerless (cow) licenses by 550 licenses (69 percent) in hunting districts (HD) 620, 621, 622 and 630, and removed the late elk shoulder season for 2024.
In the Bears Paw area, elk remain within population objectives and no changes were made to license quotas.
Mule deer
Overall, spring surveys showed the region-wide mule deer densities at 16 percent below the long-term average. Surveys in 2024 revealed a significant decrease from both the 2023 surveys and the historic high population observed in 2021. Biologists reduced antlerless Mule Deer B License quota levels by 3,375 (54 percent) across the region from 6,200 in 2023 to 2,825 in 2024.
In HDs 621 and 622, a more restrictive hunting season initiated in 2023 will continue in 2024. Buck-only harvest, and no B Licenses, will be valid in these districts. The 620-00 antlerless Mule Deer B License will only be valid in HD 620.
Additionally, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission passed regulations that restrict antlerless mule deer harvest to occur only on private land in FWP Regions 6 and 7. Like always, please read and follow all hunting regulations.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer densities remain low across the region, but there are some relatively higher densities in the far northeastern corner and western edge of the region.
Region 6 Antlerless Whitetail B Licenses will again be available for over-the-counter purchase, with a limit of three per hunter. These licenses are valid across all of Region 6 to allow hunters to use the license where whitetail numbers may be higher.
Pronghorn (Antelope)
In general, pronghorn populations have slowly increased during the past 13 years across the region from historic lows in 2011. Total antelope numbers across the region during summer surveys were near average, as were fawn and buck ratios.
Biologists observed an increase in antelope population in HD 630 and a decrease in HD 650, and adjusted quotas accordingly. Other hunting districts’ license quotas in the region remained the same as the 2023 license allocation.
Destination: Southeast Montana (Region 7)
Conditions in much of southeast Montana are considerably better than previous years at this time, when the landscape was severely impacted by drought. Much of the region received ample spring and early summer rainfall this year, which improved conditions. With summer and early fall heat having hit the area, there is increased fire danger as grass dries out. Several moderate-sized and large wildfires have occurred in the southern portion of the region.
Elk
The two core elk populations in the region remain in hunting district (HD) 700 and Southeastern Montana Elk Management Units (HDs 702, 704, 705). Outside of these areas, elk numbers are generally low, but numbers have been increasing at a moderate rate, accompanied by a gradual expansion of elk into previously unoccupied habitat.
Elk hunters should get familiar with the regulations as they vary across HDs within the region.
Mule deer
Mule deer densities improved by 20 percent from 2023 but are still approximately 40 percent below the long-term average. During spring and summer 2023 moisture conditions improved the habitat within the region and the quantity and quality of forage available to deer. A mild winter helped deer come into this spring in healthy body condition.
In response to population declines, biologists in southeast Montana began reducing antlerless licenses starting in 2021 and have reduced antlerless license quotas by 91 percent since then. The 1,000 B Licenses were awarded during the drawing with none are available through the surplus list. Hunters will be unable to purchase additional antlerless mule deer licenses during the general rifle season this fall.
Additionally, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted regulations in Regions 6 and 7 that dictate antlerless mule deer may only be harvested on private land in each region. Hunters should familiarize themselves with regulations prior to hunting.
While, as a whole, mule deer numbers are down this year in Region 7, some areas are seeing strong numbers. West-central and northeastern portions of the region may have better concentrations, whereas the southern third (which experienced severe drought in 2020 as well) and northwestern portion of the region were hit hardest.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer numbers remain variable depending on the area of the region. Drought in recent years led to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreaks in many parts of the region. Most southeastern Montana counties experienced localized die-offs. The Yellowstone River corridor in southern Richland County experienced a more widespread outbreak, but nevertheless white-tailed deer numbers remain good through much of the area. Northern Carter and southern Fallon counties were particularly hard hit by EHD in 2021, with a widespread outbreak that resulted in significant mortality. White-tailed deer numbers in this area are expected to take a couple of years to recover. Additionally, EHD impacted white-tailed deer along some stretches of the Powder River.
Region 7 has changed the way antlerless White-tailed Deer Licenses are allocated as part of a statewide effort to simplify hunting regulations. Antlerless White-tailed Deer Licenses will now be allocated similar to antlerless Mule Deer Licenses. Biologists will set quotas on an annual basis; the licenses will first be available through the drawing process (deadline: June 1 each year). Any surplus licenses first will be distributed through the surplus list (the deadline to sign up was July 19, 2024). Any leftover licenses will then be sold over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis starting Aug. 12. As of Aug. 20, more than 3,000 were still available for purchase.
Pronghorn (Antelope)
Pronghorn populations in southeast Montana are similar to 2023 numbers and are 10 percent above the 10-year average. Numbers are strongest in the southeastern part of the region.
This year Region 7 is split with licenses valid in the northern portion of the region and licenses valid in the southern portion. The 007-21 either-sex license and the 007-31 doe/fawn license are valid in the northern portion of Region 7 while the 007-20 and the 007-30 licenses are valid in the southern portion of the region using the Yellowstone River as the boundary between the two.
The second opportunity 705-30 doe/fawn license is now valid only in hunting district 705, due to strong populations across that area. This license was sold on a first-come, first-served basis, one per hunter, and is only available to those who hold a valid 007-20 antelope license.
Reader Comments(0)